Judge binds Logan man over on charges of raping woman during Halloween party

LOGAN — A judge has ordered Paul W. Doucette to stand trial for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman during a Halloween party in 2017. Judge Kevin Allen said prosecutors showed sufficient evidence to bind the 31-year-old man over on charges of rape and forcible sodomy, both first-degree felonies.

The ruling came during a preliminary hearing for Doucette in 1st District Court, Tuesday afternoon. The Logan man was found competent to stand trial, previously in April.

During the hearing, the victim emotionally described the events of the evening, explaining how Doucette became increasingly possessive of her, acting unstable and erratic during the party. After moving into a separate part of the residence and laying on a couch together, the suspect began to assault the victim. She said, the next thing she remembered was finding herself on the floor as the assault continued. The suspect finally stopped when a friend walked into the room and witnessed what was happening.

The victim said, Doucette then poured water onto her head. He mockingly told the friend, “ask [the victim] how it feels to be raped.”

During cross examination, the victim testified that she had been drinking earlier in the night. She explained that she shouldn’t have tried to comfort Doucette and allow him to get “handsy” with her. Later, she tearfully defended her actions and told the court, she did not want any of this to happen and just wanted it to be over.

Doucette did not speak during the hearing. He sat next to his public defender, often placing his head in his hands.
Judge Allen said there was probable cause to show that Doucette committed both crimes. He ordered him to return July 23 for a pre-trial conference.

This isn’t the first time Doucette has been charged with a crime. In October 2016, he walked into a hair salon with an air-soft handgun under his arm. He reportedly waived the gun, telling the employees that he worked for the police and god. He walked out the backdoor of the business and was later confronted by police and arrested.